Wednesday, January 28, 2009

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. Here's the article from the American Library Association: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that children's item you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind item you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So those awesome handmade presents you bought your kiddos this past holiday season won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake. Here's the article in Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

To the Worldwide Economy:Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Hi! My name is Eileen, I live in a suburb of Maryland with my wonderful husband, 2 sons and our bulldog. I love creating one-of-kind lampwork beads and being able to share them with people like you. I have found my artistic passion.

I am mostly self taught but have been fortunate enough to have taken a few classes from artists that I consider to be highly regarded in the lampwork world. My beads are made with soft glass such as Morette/Effetre, ASK, Vetrefond, Lauscha and others. After each bead is created I tuck them into my kiln for a good night sleep so they will wake up sturdy and strong to last a lifetime...

The passion certainly shows in Eileen's work. In her blog she shares her passion by showing readers what others have done with her beads. The blog has even more than that. You will find posts about our featured EtsyBlogger each month, recipes and garden battles with groundhogs.

Right now Eileen is taking part in the One World One Heart Giveaway. To have a chance to win an item from this wonderful glass artist go to her blog for details that can be found in this post.

Friday, January 23, 2009

In trying to get too many details organized I have been slipping up on other things. I want you to be able to depend on me so I have made a decision about the birthday posts I do here on the team blog. Mondays are very busy for the EtsyBloggers with Mini Monday Features and blog carnivals being published. I think I will post birthdays once a week on Fridays. By doing it this way I will show you the shops of all active team members that have had birthday in the past week and I am very likely to be much more consistent on getting what are really some if my favorite posts to do.

If you are an EtsyBlogger team member and are wondering what I mean by being active, let me explain. All you need to do each month at a minimum are three things. First you need to write a post about the featured blogger of the month. Second you need to participate in at least one team blog carnival each month. Last and to me the most important is put the links to your posts on the team message board in the roll call thread. This is where I look to see if you are an active member and get to have your birthday post here and also where Lily of Tulips Treasure Box and I look when your name comes up on the list for a mini Monday feature.

So starting today I have three birthdays to share with you. The Etsy mini's of their shops are below. If you are reading this post through a reader come on over to the blog so you can see who it is.

Monday, January 19, 2009

A pretty mermaid swims across this card with a few aquatic friends. Flip the card over...Shop: The Fab Miss B

The Fab Miss B is a one woman extravaganza dedicated to finding unique handmade and vintage things for you and your home. Come in and Find one of a kind.

"I found this beautiful ox bone perfume bottle at a market in Xi'an China. Xi'an was the ancient capital of China and also the end point of the silk road. It is now home to a large Muslim community who sell handicrafts to tourists. This small perfume bottle was carved by hand and decorated with branches, flowers, a bumble bee and a moth."

"If the twenties are about improvisation, I feel like Thelonious Monk. In the last three years, hubby and I have bounced around the world; through Africa, Europe, China and now the American Southwest. This blog is a sketchbook I fill with the inspiration I find around me everyday."

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Today the EtsyBloggers are introducing you to Jimena of the shop Panoptica. As it says on the store banner you will find "a little bit of this, a little bit of that, a little bit of zest for life". This cheerful way of looking at things show through in the store profile quoted below.

Aloha!! Thanks for visiting Panoptica.I'm gonna tell you about me, the crafter behind this store. My name is Jimena, and I live in Mexico City. I was born on June 23rd, 1988. I am a college student; my major is political science and international relations. School kind of occupies most of my time (all that homework, papers, research, etc, etc.), but I still manage to party a bit. On that much needed free time I read nice books, draw, watch movies, go out with my friends, and craft.

Although I've been crafting for a long time, it wasn't until recently that I decided I was going to make it a business, a serious one. I had sold my stuff before, but I wasn't consistent. So on my 20th birthday, I finally asked my Dad for his credit card so I could register on Etsy as a seller. And TA-DA, here I am, and here is Panoptica.

So, what IS Panoptica anyway? First of all, it is not my concept. It all started with Jeremy Bentham in the 18th century when he wrote a book about a prison called the panopticon. Although the concept is kind of grim, the ethymology of the word simply means 'to see all'. I thought that was a pretty neat idea, so I repurposed it to the meaning of seeing all the interesting things there are in the world.

So, I strive to make and do interesting things, even if I can only do it part-time. I walk around the city; I smile at people on the subway. I eavesdrop. I like colors, the sky, sunny days, but I also love rain and umbrellas. I spend hours on the internet. I read magazines, but I also read the newspaper. I type on my typewriter. I go to museums and concerts and events. I think all day long, and that is how the stuff is made.

Most of my products are handmade, but I also sell some vintage because it is so fun to hunt for it. The handmade stuff is designed, made, photographed, packaged, listed, sold and sent by me, Jimena. I don't like others having the same things I do, so I extend that to my store. I try to make innovative products and make them unique too. I use recycled and upcycled materials in a teeny tiny effort to help the environment.

I am very enthusiastic about cooperating in fun projects. I am open to trades. I am open to wholesaling. If you have any question, comment, proposal, please convo me, and I'll be sure to answer back on a timely manner.Panoptica, or rather the shop owner Jimena, is part of what makes the EtsyBloggers a global community. She joins us from Mexico and tells more about living there in her blog. I will have to admit that somehow this blog wasn't on my Google reader list but it certainly is now. Go on over and take a look!

Welcome to "Cards By Jenna"! Is that not the cutest shop banner? Congratulations on your very own EtsyBloggers Mini Monday...though you are featured for the entire week. Hummm, maybe we should call it the EtsyBloggers Mini Week?

Just seems appropriate for the team to give you this card in honor of your week! You can purchase this royal masterpiece right here: You are the Queen

Each of Jenna's creations are awesome, unique, obviously well-made with love and creativeness!

Hailing from someplace I had not heard of just outside of Seattle in Issaquah, WA, Jenna gives much credit to her grandmother for introducing her to the arts.

Well Jenna, with some 80" of snow this season, it is a good thing you have such a fun hobby!

Belonging to January 5-15th the EtsyGreetings team, participating shops are offering free domestic shipping on any Thank You card set January 5th - 15th such as this "Bee-utiful" one:

And for those who know of someone expecting a baby this year...as is the daughter of our beloved teammate Ms. Moo, "cure"ator of Spotted Cow Soaps:

Timeless works of art suitable for framing, a treasure forever and always!

When our Jenna is not using her spare time to create, she works in real estate and says she "loves helping people buy and sell their homes".

Her profile reveals: My hobbies include cooking, reading, scrapbooking, gardening, spending time with family/friends, and cardmaking!

I live with my boyfriend and we have two adorable kitties.

I love papery things and have a huge collection which I use to create my masterpieces (at least I think each card is a masterpiece!). It is a wonderful past time and hobby for me and just recently I have turned my passion into a small business.

My card making specialty is customization and creating a unique one of a kind masterpiece.

Every card is hand cut and put together carefully with the best materials. I use acid free stickers, paper, and cardstock for long lasting durability. Embellishments include ribbon, lace, sequins, rhinestones, glitter, brads, prima flowers, stickers and more! Each piece is meticulously affixed to the card with photo mounting squares or hot glue for embellishments.

Cards by Jenna Blog, where you can learn more about this lovely EtsyBlogger, her life, and her craft.